Aussie tail fights hard
19 December, 2008

Mike Hussey South Africa has fought its way into a good position at stumps on day three of the first 3 Mobile Test at the WACA, although the Proteas still have to contend with a fighting Australian tail led by Brad Haddin and Jason Krejza.

In a match with more twists and turns than a soap opera, Australia bowled South Africa out for 281 early on Friday morning in response to the home side's initial 375.

Mitchell Johnson was the star, completing one of the finest bowling performances by an Australian player, his 8-61 including a sensational spell of 5-2 late on the second day, as the Proteas slumped from a comfortable 3-234 to 8-243.

South Africa, though, seemed determined to atone for that late collapse when it came into bowl, the Proteas producing some tight bowling and inspired fielding to have the home side reeling at 7-162 with a lead of just 256 runs, easy pickings for the tourist's strong batting line-up.

Fighting the momentum, not-out batsmen Haddin (39) and Krejza (28) hit back, attacking the Proteas' bowlers and posting a vital 66-run partnership that took the hosts to stumps with the score at 7-228, a lead of 322 runs that may have swung the match back in Australia's favour.

Johnson's performance, though, will not remove the spotlight from Matthew Hayden, the opener only making four runs in the second innings before being adjudged caught and bowled by Dale Steyn in a poor decision, as the ball clearly came off Hayden's pads.

At the start of the day, Johnson wasted little time taking his eighth wicket of the innings, having Steyn caught behind for eight in the day's third over as Australia immediately profited from taking the new ball.

The 27-year-old former Queenslander almost took his ninth when Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher top-edged high into the air. But Brad Haddin missed the difficult chance to give Johnson the best figures for an Australian of all time, allowing Arthur Malley's 87-year-old record of 9-121 to stand.

Having bowled South Africa out, Australia's run chase started poorly with Hayden falling before lunch.

Simon Katich (37), Ricky Ponting (32) and Mike Hussey (8) then all failed to capitalise on making good starts, giving the Proteas some degree of hope that blossomed after tea as Michael Clarke (26), Andrew Symonds (37) and Brett Lee (5) all feel in quick succession.

Ponting had some excuses, battling on against an abdominal strain before being deceived by some extra bounce from Proteas' spinner Paul Harris (2-64).

But Katich failed to move his feet effectively, while Hussey chopped a Makhaya Ntini (1-53) delivery onto his stumps, the batsmen attempting to lift the run rate after being on the defensive to Morne Morkel, who bowled impressively without reward.

After carefully compiling a 60-run partnership, Clarke and Symonds also fell to some terrible shot selection as their naturally aggressive games came through.

Both batsmen were guilty of giving away their wickets in the first innings through some rash big hits, but they held themselves in check for an hour before Clarke slashed at a wide Steyn (2-57) delivery and was caught behind.

Symonds then dolled up an easy catch to give Harris his second wicket, the Queenslander miscuing an attempt to hit over the infield.

And Lee fell victim to a sensational catch by AB de Villiers at third slip, the fielder diving headlong to take it two-handed as Lee attempted to glide the ball through point.

But that just brought Haddin and Krejza to the crease, the wicketkeeper immediately releasing the pressure by belting Harris for two sixes in the next over, with Krejza giving him good support down the other end.